In writing comments on a blog or forum, you should try to add to the conversation the entry begins. First, has the author done a good job in carefully considering her position? If not, your comment might indicate what has been omitted and provide additional ideas for her to consider, including your own. You should respectfully encourage further thought — deeper thought. No one wants to read entries that just skim the surface of an issue, so comments should help direct continued investigation.
Not only should comments elicit further thought, but they should also provide helpful feedback. You might also consider how well the entry is written from a stylistic and mechanical perspective: i.e., is the entry relatively free of typos and poorly composed sentences? A comment might indicate specific sentences and general problems the author seems to have. You goal here it to be helpful to the author’s developing writing style, especially in English Composition courses.
Above all, you should avoid “trolling” and “spamming.” Trolling is when you’re just harsh, disrespectful, and generally not helpful. Always be respectful to another human being: try to respond the way you might want someone to respond to you. Be considerate, but critical. Responses like “Yeah, good job! I totally agree!” are not helpful. You may be complimentary, but any entry could use improvement. “Spamming” can be defined, at least for our purposes here, as comments that are irrelevant to an entry. Many spammers are trying to make money on the web and will link from as many blogs as they can to gain exposure through search engines like Google. Yet, spam is also junk that has nothing to do with the subject matter of the post. Always stay relevant and on topic. Your goal as a commentator is to prod additional thought, not just thoughtlessly support mediocrity.
Be thoughtful, critical, respectful, and specific in your comments.
